Creative Thinking: Tip 4 - Understanding Your Mind

I came across a wonderful resource for creative thinking today. It’s not a step-by-step guide to helping you generate ideas, but it should help you understand the process, and help you with your writing.

I wish I ‘d found this article first, before I posted the others in this category (as it would be a good starting point). Oh well, can’t turn back now. The article is titled: “Understanding the Mind: 5 Keys to a Writer’s Creativity” by Rob Daugherty. I particularly liked the following information:

“There exists a screening device located at the base of our brain called a Reticular Activating System (RAS). This net-like group of cells helps to decide what we are to be conscious of as it filters out other information. It allows only vital and important sensory input into our conscious awareness.”

“What makes understanding the RAS so interesting is that we can shift our focus such that we can become conscious of things normally blocked from our awareness. Just as mothers can hear the slightest ‘peep’ from their babies over many other louder sounds, we can soon become aware of the ideas…”

Take a gander, if you have the time. I found it interesting, and maybe you’ll glean something out of it.

Comments

[1ConfusedWriter]

That's pretty much the reaction I had, Mike. Of all of the Science/Anatomy/Psych classes I had in the past, I don't recall anything about RAS. It was a good read.

The alertness that your wife exhibits with your kid is a great example. Thanks for sharing. :)

[mike]

Vic,

Finally an excuse to write about my kid!

Well, actually, his mom. She's a sleeper, I have to tell you. But ever since becoming a mother, I kid you not, he can simply roll over, and she's fully awake. I have studied long term/short term memory..actually wrote a paper with a theory for psych 101 that my instructer was so jazzed about he published in the college paper, but have not heard of this RAS. It makes perfect sense, and I'd certainly like to read more.

Mike